Siphons head

ABSTRACT

A siphon of simplified construction in which the inlet passage for compressed gas entering the head is coaxial with the outlet passage for a carbonated beverage leaving the head. A charging valve for closing the inlet passage is mounted on a dispensing valve for closing the outlet passage.

United States Patent 1191 Clifford Apr. 30, 1974 SIPHONS HEAD 2,388,026 10/1945 Ward 141/19 x 629,752 7/1899 Murray.. 141/17 [75] Invent Emest l 3,083,875 4/1963 Welty 141 21 x England 2,351,376 6/1944 Ward 141/19 x Assigneea r o yg 2,605,763 8/1952 Smoot 141/19 X Limited London England 1,308,101 7/1919 Oftedahl... 141/389 X 1,645,034 10/1927 Wolf 141/389 X 22 il A 6 1971 2,222,247 11/1940 Ward 1 141/17 X 3,324,903 6/1967 Hinz 141/17 1 1 pp 169,855 3,493,019 2/1970 00 0 .1 141 19 x 30 Foreign Application Priority Data '*-W M A l 0 1970 G t B 38397 70 Attorney, Agent, or F1rmDenn1son, Denmson, Townug. rea mama... Shend & Meserole 52 us. c1 .[141/389 141/17, 141/21,

141/392 [571 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. B67d 5/02, B67d 5/34, B67d 5/54, A siphon of simplified construction in which the inlet B65b 31/08, B65b 37/14 passage for compressed gas entering the head is coax- [58] Field of Search 141 17, 19, 21, 389,392 ial with the outlet passage for a carbonated beverage leaving the head. A charging valve for closing the inlet [56] References Cited passage is mounted on a dispensing valve for closing UNITED STATES PATENTS the Quflet P 1,979,390 11/1934 Jacobs 141/19 X 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 SYIPHONS HEAD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to siphons, and particularly to siphon heads, by which is meant apparatus adapted to be fitted to the neck of a storage vessel of a carbonated beverage'to control the discharge thereof as desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Previously known siphon heads have been of relatively complex construction which has necessitated the accurate fitting together of many different components. This invention relates to a siphon head of simpler and cheaper construction, requiring fewer components than known siphon heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a siphon head for a container of a carbonated beverage; the head including a valve for dispensing the beverage from the container along an outlet passage, and an inlet passage coaxial with the outlet passage for enabling compressed or liquefied gas to pass into the container from a bulb, in which the inlet passage is closed only by a non-return valve mounted on the dispensing valve. 7 This invention relates to siphons, and particularly to siphon heads, by which is meant apparatus adapted to be fitted to the neck of a storage vessel of a carbonated beverage tocontrol the discharge thereof as desired.

Known siphon heads are of relatively-complex construction, requiring the accurate fitting together of many different components.

The present invention aims at providing a siphon head of simpler and cheaper construction, requiring fewer components, than known siphon heads. Accordingly the present invention provides a siphon head as claimed in the appended claims.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view, mainly in section, of one form of siphon head of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a view in section, of another form of siphon head of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a siphon head includes a body 2 moulded from a suitable plastics material. The body has an internal chamber 4 having an enlarged portion 6 at one end, the enlarged portion being provided with internal screw-threads indicated diagrammatically at 8. The screw'threads are adapted to mate with complementary screw-threads on the neck of a siphon intended to hold the beverage, such as water, which is to be carbonated and dispensed. When in position on the siphon, the chamber 4 is in communication with the upper end of a siphon tube (not shown) which extends near to the other end of the siphon and up which the carbonated beverage passes when it is to be dispensed.

The chamber 4 is in communication with a chamber 10 in which moves a slidable piston 12. The chamber 10 has a frusto-conical portion 14 at one end which is contiguous with an outlet passage 16. The piston 12 carries an O-ring 18 at its tapering end, the O-ring being adapted to come into fluid-tight engagement with the walls 14 of the chamber 10 when it is desired to seal the interior of the siphon from the atmosphere. The piston l2 and the frusto-conical portion 14 constitute the sealing member and the fixed seat respectively of a dispensing valve.

Seated in a recess 20 in the piston 12 is the rounded end of an integral-extension 22 of a pivoted support 24 for an operating lever 26. The support is pivotably mounted on a pin 28 which is seated at both ends in the body 2. Also supported by the pin 28 is at least one torsion spring 30 having its bight encircling the pin. One limb of the spring 30 engages the underside of the lever 26, and the other contacts a spring seat formed integrally in the head 2, the spring being stressed so as to force the lever outwardly of the head into the limit position illustrated. This position is defined by the piston coming into sealing engagement with the walls of the chamber 10.

When it is desired to dispense the carbonated liquid from the respective siphon, then the handle 26 is pressed downwardly to pivot it in the anti-clockwise direction as viewed, against the action of-the torsion spring 30. The resultant motion of the extension 26 moves the piston axially away from the outlet passage 16 until the O-ring 18 comes out of sealing engagement, whereupon the carbonated liquid which is forced into the chamber 4 by the pressure of gas in the ullage space, is able to be discharged into the passage 16 through the resultant gap between the walls 14 and the O-ring 18.

When sufficient liquid has been discharged, the lever is allowed to resile until the piston again reaches its illustrated closed position.

The unwanted discharge of carbonated liquid to the rear of the piston is prevented by the permanent sliding engagement of an O-ring seal 32, captive on the piston 12, with the cylindrical walls of the chamber 10. The extent of these walls is such that the O-ring 32 is in fluid-tight engagement with the walls at all axial positions of the piston 12.

The siphon head of the present invention is designed I to enable the contents of the siphon to be carbonated by discharging into the liquid the contents of a bulb holding compressed or liquefied carbon dioxide gas. For this purpose a charging plug 34 is mounted on the rear end of the piston 12. The plug 34 is preferably soldered on the piston, but obviously other means of securing the two members to each other could be used.

The plug has an external screw-threaded portion 36 intended to receive a holder for the bulb (not shown) of carbon dioxide. When the holder is rotated in the appropriate direction the neck of the bulb is forced into sealing engagement with an O-ring 38 positioned internally in a recess 40 in the plug 34. Projecting into the recess 40 from the base thereof is a hollow piercing member 42 disposed so that continued axial movement of the bulb causes member 42 to pierce the usual seal provided on the mouth of the bulb. When the bulb is pierced the gaseous or liquefied carbon dioxide passes through the hollow piercing member 42 and enters aligned passages 44 and 46 in the plug and piston respectively. The passages 44 and 46 constitute an inlet passage. The forward end of the passage 46 is closed by an annular sleeve 48 of rubber or other elastomeric material. The arrangement is such that when a sufficient differential pressure is applied across the sleeve 48, it deforms outwardly sufficiently for the passage 46 to be placed in communication with the chamber 4 in the head, so that the carbon dioxide is able to pass into the siphon, at least part thereof becoming dissolved in the water or other liquid by the siphon and head being shaken or otherwise agitated. Not all the carbon dioxide goes into solution, in that sufficient is left to generate a superatrnospheric pressure in the ullage space, which pressure is sufiicient to discharge the contents of the siphon when the outlet valve is kept open for a sufficient time. The sleeve 48 constitutes a non-return valve.

After the contents of the bulb have been discharged into the siphon, then the bulb is removed by unscrewing the holder until it can be detached from the plug and the neck of the bulb removed from within the recess 40. Thereafter a dust cap 50, which is also pivotally mounted on the pin 28, is pivoted back to the illustrated position in which it prevents dust and other foreign matter from falling into the recess 40 or otherwise tending to foul the mechanism.

The outer end of the outlet passage 16 is defined by a tubular extension 52 of the body 2. The outer surface of the inner end of the extension 52 is provided with a rounded shoulder 54 on which a nozzle 56 of a suitable resilient plastics material is a snap fit. The nozzle 56 defines a passage 58 aligned with theoutlet passage 16, and the length of passage 58 is such that its end allows glasses, tumblers, and other containers to be positioned to receive the discharged liquid without fouling the siphon.

Should the gas pressure in the chamber 4 rise to an excessive value, for example through overfilling the siphon with water or charging it with too much gas, the pressure operates on the exposed faces of the piston 12 to force it to the right as viewed against the bias of spring 30. This can result in the discharge of carbonated liquid through nozzle 56, thereby preventing damage to the siphon.

The other form of siphon head shown in FIG. 2 includes a body 60 moulded from a suitable plastics material. The body has an internal chamber 62 having an enlarged portion 64 at one end, the enlarged portion being provided with internal screw threads indicated diagrammatically at 66. The screw threads are adapted to mate with complementary screw threads on the neck of a siphon intended to hold the beverage to be carbonated and dispensed. When in position on the siphon the chamber 62 is in communication with the upper end of a siphon tube (not shown) which extends near to the other end of the siphon and up which the carbonated beverage passes when it is to be dispensed.

The chamber 62 is in communication with a chamber 68 which is coaxial with a forward passage 70 and a rear opening 72. The chamber 68 is connected to the forward passage 70 by a tapered portion 74, and the rear opening 72 is connected to the chamber 68 by a double stepped shoulder 76.

A tubular member 80 defining an outlet passage 82 is slidable in the forward passage 70. The member 80 constitutes the sealing member of a dispensing valve.

The forward portion 84 of the member 80 is of reduced external cross-section to define with the forward passage 70. a tubular space 86. A compression spring 88 is located in the space 86. This spring is biassed to force the rear end of the member 80 into contact with a rubber washer 90 so as to seal the rear end of the outlet passage 82.

An operating lever 92 is pivotally mounted on a pin 94 which is seated at both ends in the body 60. The lever 92 includes a forked integral extension 96 having arms which are seated in a recess 98 in the member 80. When the member is forced by the spring 88 into contact with the washer 90, the lever 92 is forced outwardly from the head into the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

When it is desired to dispense carbonated liquid from the siphon, then the lever 92 is pressed downwardly to pivot in it the clockwise direction as viewed against the action of the compression spring 88. The resultant movement of the extension 96 moves the tubular mem ber 80 axially away from the washer so as to open the rear end of the outlet passage 82. Carbonated liquid which has been forced into the chamber 62 by the gas pressure in the ullage space is now able to be discharged into the outlet passage 82 through the gap between the tubular member 80 and the washer 90. When sufficient carbonated liquid has been discharged, the lever 92 is released and the spring 88 returns the member 80 and the lever 92 to the illustrated closed positron.

Leakage of carbonated water between the tubular member 80 and the forward passage 70 is prevented by the sliding engagement of an O-ring 100 captive on the member 80, with the wall of the forward passage 70.

This O-ring 100 is in fluid-tight engagement with the A support member 102 for the washer 90 has a neck 104, and a passage 106 passing through the neck. The washer 90 and support member 102 constitute the fixed seat of the dispensing valve. A flanged rubber sleeve 108, constituting a non-return valve, is located round the neck 104, and the neck is screwed into a central passage 110 passing through a charging plug 112. The passages 106 and 110 constitute an inlet passage. The washer 90 is mounted on the forward portion of the support member 102 and the charging plug 112 is screwed into the rear opening 72. When the plug 112 is screwed fully home in the opening 72 the sleeve 108 makes a gas-tight fit with the shoulder 76 to prevent gas escaping from the rear of the chamber 68.

A hollow piercing member 114 is mounted on the plug 112. This piercing member is surrounded by a rubber washer 116 held in place by a metal sleeve 118 screwed into a rearward opening 120 in the plug 112. It will be seen from the drawing that the plug 1 12 is externally screw-threaded along its entire length, and that part of the plug 112 projects from the rear opening 72. Normally a dust cap 122 is screwed onto the projecting part of the plug 112.

When it is desired to discharge the contents of a carbon dioxide bulb into the siphon, the bulb is mounted on an appropriate holder (not shown). The holder is screwed onto the external screw thread of the charging plug 112 so as to force the neck of the bulb into sealing engagement with the washer 116. When the holder is screwed fully home onto the plug 112, the piercing member 114 pierces the usual seal provided on the mouth of the bulb. When the bulb is pierced the gaseous or liquefied carbon dioxide passes through the ho]- low piercing member 114 along the aligned passages l and 106 to the sleeve 108. The arrangement is such that when a sufficient differential pressure exists across the sleeve 108, this sleeve deforms outwardly sufficiently for the passage 106 to be placed in communication with the chamber 62 in the head. This enables carbon dioxide to pass into the siphon. At least part of the carbon dioxide in the siphon is dissolved in the liquid by suitably agitating the siphon. Not all the carbon dioxide in the siphon goes into the solution, and sufficient carbon dioxide is left to generate a superatmospheric pressure in the ullage space. It is this superatmospheric pressure which discharges the carbonated liquid from the siphon when the outlet passage is opened by depressing the lever 92. After the contents of the bulb has been discharged into the siphon, the bulb holder is unscrewed from the charging plug 112, and the neck of the bulb is removed from within the rearward Opening 120. The dust cap 122 is then screwed back on to the charging plug 112.

If the gas pressure in the chamber 62 should rise to an excessive value, this pressure operates on the exposed faces of the member 80 to force it to the left as passage coaxial with the outlet passage enabling compressed gas to pass into the container, said gas inlet passage including piercing means at one end for piercing viewed against the action of the spring 88. This enables excess gas and carbonated liquid to be discharged through the outlet passage 82 thereby preventing dama rupturable bulb containing compressed gas, and a non-return valve including a sleeve of elastometic material arranged to open the inlet passage when the differential pressure across the sleeve reaches a chosen value at the opposite end of said passage through which said gas is conducted to the interior of the container.

4. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which a downstream section of the inlet passage is located in the seat.

5. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which the sealing member is a tube defining the outlet passage and in which said manually operable lever is connected directly to the tube to control its position.

6. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which the non-return valve is mounted on the sealing member.

7. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2' in which a downstream section of the inlet passage is located in the sealing member.

8. A siphon head as claimed in claim 6 in which the sealing member is biassed by a torsion spring.

9. A siphon head as claimed in claim 8 in which the bias is exerted on the sealing member by a part of the lever. 

1. A siphon head for a container of a liquid to be carbonated; the head includiNg an outlet passage, a liquid dispensing valve biased toward a sealing position and provided with a valve head under the control of a manually operable lever, said head movable along the axis of said outlet passage relative to a fixed seat, a gas inlet passage coaxial with the outlet passage enabling compressed gas to pass into the container, said gas inlet passage including piercing means at one end for piercing a rupturable bulb containing compressed gas, and a non-return valve including a sleeve of elastometic material arranged to open the inlet passage when the differential pressure across the sleeve reaches a chosen value at the opposite end of said passage through which said gas is conducted to the interior of the container.
 2. A siphon head as claimed in claim 1 in which the dispensing valve includes a sealing member cooperating with said fixed seat; spring means biasing the sealing member towards a sealing position, and said manually operable lever to move the sealing member against the bias to a discharge position.
 3. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which the non-return valve is mounted on the fixed seat.
 4. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which a downstream section of the inlet passage is located in the seat.
 5. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which the sealing member is a tube defining the outlet passage and in which said manually operable lever is connected directly to the tube to control its position.
 6. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which the non-return valve is mounted on the sealing member.
 7. A siphon head as claimed in claim 2 in which a downstream section of the inlet passage is located in the sealing member.
 8. A siphon head as claimed in claim 6 in which the sealing member is biassed by a torsion spring.
 9. A siphon head as claimed in claim 8 in which the bias is exerted on the sealing member by a part of the lever. 